Stopper and retracting device for collapsible tubes



G. R. CRUZE May 24, 1932.

STOPPER AND RETRACTING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed April 28, 1951amnion 66099 R. Craze,

dbtoz M11 Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATES GEORGE E. GRUZE, OFDANVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA I STOPPER AND RETRACTING DEVICE FOR COLLAISIBLETUBES Application filed April 28,

The present invention relates to a method of and device for stopping andregulating the flow of plastic or fluent material from dispensingcontainers and consists in the steps of procedure, and combinations andar-- .29 it serves to clog or smear the tube opening when the closurecap is applied, or if not appliedwhich, is usually the casethe materialsolidifies or hardens through exposure.

Due to this last condition the tube end thus a sealed has greaterstrength than the material of the tube body with the result that whenpressure is applied the tube itself breaks and the entire contents ofthe article must needs be discarded.

To overcome these disadvantages the ,present invention contemplatesthe-use of a device insertable in the tube at the time of filling whichwhen collapsed acts to create an appreciable vacuum at a point near thedischarge opening so that when pressure is stopped the emitting fluentsubstance is immediately retracted or withdrawn within the tube for adistance suflicient to entirely clear the neck opening. The devicefurther acts to keepthe tube opening at all times clear and free fromliability of hardening, and obviously there is no needless loss ofsubstance due to the conditions above stated. This theory has heretoforebeen proposed but insofar as known'is believed not to have succeeded dueprobably to the defect of in'suflicient vacuum, or leakage between thediaphragm and the tube openlng. fault is that attempt was made to alterthe m tube structure per se which is obviously imvwith the usual type ofreduced end portions And a further probable" 1931. Serial No. 533,524.

practicable both in function and from the cost production standpoint. p

The invention as disclosed herein is especially designed for tubes ofthe collapsible type though it will be understood is equally as wellapplicable to fluent material containers of the non-collapsible type. Itis proposed as an improvement over the construe? tion of article shownin co-pending applica tion for United States patent on Method and devicefor stoppin and regulating flow from collapsible tubes Serial No.518,872,, filed February 27, 1931, and in which I am joint inventor.

The invention is shown by way of illustra-' tion in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein: a

Figure 1 is a central sectional view of the collapsible tube showingthedevce in applied position; 7

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the same in position for dispensingthe material Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device per se; I

Figure 4 is a central sectional view of a modified construction ofarticle 1 Figure 5 is a similar view showing the device at the time ofdispensing, and;

Figure 6 is a perspectiveviewof the'modified construction of thearticle.

Referring to the construction in further detail and wherein likereference characters indicate corresponding parts in the. differentviews shown, 7 designates a collapsible tube having'neck 9 ordinarilyclosed by a screw cap, herein dispensed with. Said tube is of theconventional type employed fordispensing toothpaste, shaving soap,Vaseline, paints, and othersubstances and is no wise altered in itsconstruction or changed in function by the application of thisinvention. That is to say, the device may be applied to tubes of thischaracter generally. p The article per se consists of a disc ordiaphragm 10 having an appreciably broad rim or marginal edge 11 thatlies in intimate contact with the inner surface of the tube '1 at itsjuncture with the reduced end portiog 8. Said disc-or diaphragm 10 isconstructe preferably of rubber and is formed with an integral andtubular neck portion 12 that extends through the neck 9 of the tube, andits outer end is provided with a cap or closure 13, as shown.

The cap or closure portion 13 is of double thickness as indicated inFigure 2 and is centrally orificed or slitted as 14, providing anopening through which the plastic material may be dispensed when thetube 7 is collapsed. And when pressure on the tube is released thecreated vacuum and pressure in the chamber 15 operate'to suck or draw inthat oozing portion of the paste which otherwise would protrude beyondor lodge in the neck of the tube.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 the disc portion 16 isformed in substantial thickness, or cone like, and shaped neck is ofincreasing thickness as at 19 to form the tapering end or chamberimmediately adjacent 'the orifice 14, when closed, as

shown in Figure 1.

It is to be understood the invention as herein disclosed is not limitedto the details of construction shown and described, as these may bevaried widely without defpartmg from the spirit of the invention as dened by the claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance, of a stopper anddiaphragm of pliable material closely fitting in the tube at thedischarge end, said stopper end being folded and apertured, and saiddiaphragm and stopper adapted to open and move with the material whenthe tube is collapsed and to close and retract the emittin substancewhen pressure is released, as an for the purpose set forth.

' 2. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance, of a combinedstopper and diaphragmv of soft liable material fitting against the tubeadJacent the discharge end, said stopper end being folded. and aperturedand adapted to open and move with the material when the tube iscollapsed, said diaphragm providing a vacuum adapted to close thestopper and retract the emitting substance when pressure on the tube isreleased, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a tube substance having a reduced dischargingend for a fluent portion, of a combined stopper and diaphragm ofresilient material provided with an orifice, said stopper and diaphragmcloseily fitting against the tube end adjacent the ischarge portion andoperable to open and move with the material when the tube is collapsedand providing a vacuum to close the stopper and retract the emittingportion of the fluent substance when pressure on the tube is released,substantially as set forth.

4. In combinationwithacollapsibletube for fluent substances having aterminating and apertured neck portion, of a closure member of elasticmaterial comprising a hollow elongated neck fitting closely within thebore of said tube neck, and a diaphragm having its marginal edge incontinuous contact with the wall of said tube thereby forming a sealbetween the tube end and the tube contents, the outer end of saidelastic tube neck being folded'upon itself and slitted, and operable toopen and dispense the tube contents when collapsed and to close andretract the emitting portion of the "contents when pressure is released,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance having a reduceddischarging end portion, of a combined stopper and diaphragm therefor,said stopper. closely passing through the end of the tube and'havin itsouter end folded and orificed, the marginal edge of the diaphragm beingenlarged nd fitting against the reduced end portion of the tube, saiddiaphragm and stopper adapted to move with the fluent substance when thetube is collapsed and to withdraw the emitting fluent substance whenpressure on the tube is released, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a tube for a fluent substance having a reduceddischarging end portion, of a closure device therefor comprising a coneshaped body portion 'fitting closely against the reduced end of the tubeand having a tubular stopper passing through the end of the tube, saidstopper having a folded and orificed discharge end and adapted toproduce a vacuum and withdraw the emitting fluent substance whenpressure on'the tube is released, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE R. GRUZE.

